Heading out into remote Australia or beyond is one of the best ways to experience the outdoors – but it also comes with its challenges. Reliable power is one of the biggest hurdles for campers, travellers, and off-grid adventurers. Whether you’re running a fridge, charging devices, or powering lights, power issues can turn a great trip into a frustrating one.
Here are some of the most common power problems you might encounter in remote locations – and how to solve them with the right gear and know-how.
1. Batteries Going Flat Too Quickly
Nothing cuts a trip short faster than a dead battery. The main culprits are usually:
- Overestimating how long your battery will last
- Running multiple high-draw appliances at once
- Failing to recharge during the day
The fix: Always size your battery bank to match your setup. Lithium batteries like the KickAss Ultra-X range deliver far more usable power than traditional AGM batteries and recharge faster. Pair them with solar panels or a DCDC charger to keep topped up on the move.
2. Appliances Not Running Properly
If your fridge isn’t cooling or your lights are dim, it’s often down to voltage drop – when the power travelling through cables weakens over distance.
The fix: Use heavy-duty cabling that matches the power draw of your appliances. A quality 12V distribution setup with fused outputs ensures stable and safe power delivery across your system.
3. Solar Panels Not Producing Enough Power
Dust, shade, or poor positioning can dramatically reduce solar output. Even a small patch of shade can knock down efficiency across the entire panel.
The fix: Keep panels clean and angled to face the sun throughout the day. Portable panels or blankets give you the flexibility to chase the sunlight, while a quality solar regulator makes sure every bit of power is captured safely.
4. Power Systems Not Charging While Driving
If your batteries don’t seem to be recharging when your vehicle is running, chances are your alternator isn’t providing the correct charging voltage. Modern vehicles often need more than just a basic isolator to get the job done.
The fix: Install a DCDC charger to ensure your batteries receive a proper multi-stage charge profile, regardless of alternator type.
5. Running Out of Outlets
It’s easy to underestimate how many devices you’ll want to charge. Phones, laptops, radios, cameras – the list adds up quickly.
The fix: Use a power hub with multiple outputs – USB, Anderson, and cigarette sockets – so everything has a place to plug in.
Final Word
Power issues don’t have to ruin your adventure. With the right planning, gear, and maintenance, you can keep your setup running smoothly no matter how remote you go. At KickAss, we design and test our gear to be Outback Proof – so you can rely on it when you’re far from civilisation.